Newspaper Page Text
Supreme Court Reverses Florida
Court Ruling On Bible Reading
WASHINGTON, (JTA) - The Su
preme Court Monday abruptly re
versed a Florida Supreme Court rul
ing that permitted Bible reading and
recitation of the Lord’s Prayer In
public schools. Tlie High Court cited
its decisions of last term that de
votional exercises of this kind are
an “establishment of religion” for
bidden by the Constitution. Florida
law requires Bible reading but does
not mention other practices.
A group of Miami parents also ob
jected to baccalaureate programs
questioning children about their re
ligious affiliation and that of their
parents; and a religious test for
teachers. The Court’s brief order to
day dismissed these complaints “for
want of pngcrly presented Federal
question." Memlters of the complain
ing group are either Jewish, Unitar
ian or agnostic.
The case came to the U. S Su
preme Court last term after Florida
tribunals had struck down such state
practices as use of the school prem
ises after hours for Bible instruction,
exhibition of religious films in the
schools, and presentation of Christ
inas, Easter and Chanukah pro
grams Tlie U. S. Supreme Court
sent the case back for further con
sideration in light of its decision on
Bible reading and the Lord's Prayer.
But the Florida Supreme court ap-
proved the practices a second time
on tlie ground that their purpose was
to encourage good moral training
rather than to promote religion. The
State Court cited remarks to this ef
fect by tlie State Legislature in the
I>reface to tlie statute.
The action today was in the form
of a brief, unsigned opinion. Justice
Potter Stewart dissented He said
the court should have heard argu
ments on the case. Stewart was the
sole dissenter in the two previous
decisions that states may not pro
vide for religious devotions in public-
schools
Justice William O Douglas and
Justice Hugo L Black joined the
others in reversing tlie prayer and
Bible reading aspects of the case,
but they thought a substanb'
tion was presented as
test (or teachers. The}
applicants are requireu
the question, “I)o you
God?” They said religiw
are also considered in ri
motions The court ruled ,
ago that a religious test oe
made a requirement for state office.
The case concerned a Maryland man
who sought a notary public’s license.
enuo
\oD
The Southern Israelite
A Weekly Newspaper for Southern Jewry — Established 1925
Vol. XXXIX ATLANTA, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1964 NO 22
AJCongress World's Fair Pickets
Arrested at Jordanian Pavilion
Johnson Warmly Welcomes
EshkoljSays IJS ‘Admires’ Israel
Protesting “defamatory and malicious material designed to incite hatred against
Israel and the Jewish people,” the American Jewish Congress last week picketed
the Jordanian Pavilion at tin- World’s Fair. Led by Dr. Joachim Prinz, AJCongress
president, the pickets were arrested for defying the Fair’s anti-demonstration ban,
then released without hail. In court, Howard M. Squadron, attorney for the
Congress, said he would tile motions challenging the Constitutionality of the
anti picketing regulation. Day after the World’s Fair picketing, a dozen Arabs
demonstrated in front of AJCongress’ national headquarters in New York. Will
Maslow, executive director, invited the Arabs into Stephen Wise Congress House
to discuss the Arab refugee issue. The invitation was declined.
WASHINGTON (JTA) — President
Lyndon B. Johnson today welcomed
Israel’s Prime Minister Levi Kshkol
with an unusually warm tribute to
Israel’s achievements and express
ions of support of Israel’s security
and Middle East peace objectives.
The President said he was aware
of the problems which Israel faces
with the neighboring Arab countries
and was also aware of the fact that
Israel wants to live in peace with its
neighbors. He stressed that he be
lieves that the Arab-Israel problems
could be peacefully resolved and
that it is “imperative” to resolve
them peacefully.
ITesident Johnson lauded Israel’s
progress, which he said is “greatly
admired” by all Americans He said
that Israel met and mastered “monu
mental” economic problems, and has
"shown all the world how to use
science and technology to improve
man’s life on the planet.”
Calling Israel ”a symbol of cour
age and strength of her people,” the
President said that the United States
Pope Paul Disaproves of Blaming
Jews For Crucifixion of Christ
NEW YORK (JTAi — Pope Paul
VI, during the audience he gave last
Saturday to a group of leaders of
the American Jewish Committee, in
dicated that he does not believe that
Jews should be held responsible for
the crucifixion of Jesus by declaring
that he fully associates himself with
the views expressed by Francis
Cardinal Spellman in the latter’s ad
dress delivered at the American Jew
ish Committee's annual dinner in
New York on April 30.
The Pontiff told the American
Jewish Committee delegation that
Cardinal Spellman had "spoken my
sentiments,” it was revealed here
today by Morris B Abram, president
of the Committee who headed the
delegation, which returned Tuesday
from Rome to Now York. Address
ing a press conference, Mr Abram
said that Pope Paul informed the
delegation that Cardinal Spellman’s
talk at the American Jewish Com
mittee’s dinner had boon forwarded
to him and that he read it with much
satisfaction.
Cardinal Spellman in his address
dealt with anti-Semitism and con
demned the spreading of bigotry
With regard to the crucifixion issue,
he stated: "Responsibility for the
crucifixion of Jesus belongs only to
those individuals who wore present
af the time and cooixTatod with His
death. It is simply absurd to main
tain that there is souk- kind of con
tinuing guilt which is transferred to
any group and which rests upon them
as a curse for which they must suf
fer.” He added that "anti-Semitism
can never find a basis in the Catho
lic religion.”
Pope Paul, in declaring to the
American Jewish Committee delega
tion that these are also his own
sentiments, made it clear that he
backs the statement on Catholic-
Jewish relations which is now being
prepared for submission to the forth
coming session of the Ecumenical
Council in September.
The delegation received by the
Pope included, in addition to Mr.
Abram, who is a U. S. member of
the United Nations Subcommission
on Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities; Ralph
Friedman of New York, chairman
of the American Jewish Committee
executive board; Philip F. Hoffman
of Newark, N J , chairman of its
board of governors; Dr John Slaw-
son of New York, executive vice-
president, and Mrs. U-onard M
Sperry of Los Angeles, a member of
the executive board
At Tuesday's conference, Mr. Ab
ram also revealed plans for the cre
ation in Romo of a research and
action center (o analyze and combat
prejudice, especially as it arises in
tlx- teachings of different faiths. Mr.
Abram said that the Pope, when in-
fomx-d of these plans, indicated his
approval and gave his blessing to
Mrs. Sperry, widow of the American
Jewish Committee leader, in whose
memory the center is being estab
lished.
To be known as the Leonard M
Sperry Center for Intergroup Co
operation, the new institute will pro
mote examination of religious texts
and teaching materials in different
parts of the world in order to deter
mine in what light they portray
various religious groups and ethnic
minorities, including Jews. Initial
financing of the Center program has
been assured by Mrs. Sperry and the
family aixl friends of the late Mr
Sperry
Detailing the aims of the Sperry
Center, Mr. Abram told the press
conference that in addition to exami
nation of texts and teaching, the
Center will conduct a long-range
program of sociological and psycho
logical research aimed at counter
acting prejudices found in religious
texts and teaching materials. In the
United States alone, the American
Jewish Committee has stimulated
and encouraged a series of self stud
ies of religious teaching materials,
including: a study of Protestant
teachings at Yale Divinity School,
Continued on page 7
is proud of the aid given to Israel
and is prepared to continue its con
tributions to technical advancement
of Israel, particularly in the field of
desalination of water in which Israel
is so much interested.
Mr. Johnson expressed confidence
that FYime Minister Eshkol’s visit
to this country will result in increas
ed understanding between the United
States and Israel and will strengthen
the “already cordial relations” be
tween the two countries. He wel
comed the opportunity to exchange
views with Mr. Eshkol on common
interests and common objectives.
The President noted that like the
United States, Israel is interested in
the building of a better world in
which every nation can develop its
resources in freedom and peace. He
said that he is pleased to have Mr.
Eshkol come to the United States
and emphasized that this is "the
first official visit by a Prime Minis
ter of Israel” in this country, al
though other Israeli Prime Ministers
had visited the United States inform
ally several times in the past. “It
gives me great pleasure to say "Sha
lom,” he told Mr. Eshkol.
Prime Minister Eshkol seemed
deeply moved by the warm words
of President Johnson. Persons who
witnessed similar receptions of for
eign dignitaries ail agreed that this
was one of the warmest accorded
by President Johnson. The welcome
was conducted on the White House
lawn, amidst martial music, salut
ing cannon, and formations of troops.
The Prime Minister and his party
the United Nations Subcommission
were landed on the White House
grounds in President Johnson’s pri
vate helicopter. Mrs. Lyndon John
son, smiling graciously, presented a
bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Eshkol.
Present at the ceremony were Is-
in
THE HAGUE, < JTA i—Queen Juli
ana appointed a Jewish Judge, Dr
Anna A. L. Minkenhof, to the High
Court of Justice at the Supreme
Court of Judicature in The Hague.
Dr. Minkenhof, 53, was the first
woman solicitor general of Amster
dam
DETROIT (JTA)—The United Auto-
nxrbile Workers of America has
purchased $250,000 in State of Is
rael Bonds, it was arHKXUxxxi at a
dinner here in honor of Sen. Philip
A Hart, Michigan Democrat
Some 600 persons, represent ing
leaders in government, labor, reli
girni, education and other fields,
watched Emil Mazey, seoretary-
treasnrer of the UAW, present the
cheek for the purchase. Mr. Mazey,
who recently returned from a visit
to Israel, said that the money would
be used to "build the kind of ax
raeli diplomats and many State De
partment officials of high rank.
Prime Minister Eshkol, expressing
appreciation for the spirit in which
he was welcomed by the President,
said that Mr. Johnson’s friendship
was "of deepest encouragement” to
the people of Israel. “This moment
will always remain with me,” he
said. He emphasized that the aid
and sympathy given to Israel by
successive U. S. Governments, and
by the people of the United States,
"are engraved for all time on the
tablets of our renewed nationhood.”
He conveyed thanks to all Americans
on behalf of the people of Israel.
The President and Mr. Eshkol
spent 20 minutes alone In a top sec
ret exchange. The entire meeting erf
the two leaders lasted one hour and
20 minutes. Participants later re
vealed that the President showed
great understanding and sympathy
for Israel’s problems. Premier Esh
kol had an opportunity to explain
the whole range of Israel’s views on
international matters.
The President was reported to
have displayed knowledge and in
sight into I .Tael's problems and
voiced admiration of Israel’s achie
vements He appeared extremely
pleased to meet Mr. Eshkol and dis
cuss with him in a man-toman man
ner. questions of crucial interest to
the two countries.
A formal dinner was served to
night in honor of the Prime Minister
and Mra Eshkol at tbs White House
tendered by President and Mrs.
Johnson. A luncheon honoring Mrs.
Eshkol was served aboard the U.S.S.
Sequoia today by Mrs. Dean Rusk-
Acting Secretary of State George
Ball gave a luncheon at the Depart
ment of State in honor of Prime
Minister Eshkol.
Brief
ciety we want to exist all over the
world I urge Labor unions to pur
chase Israel bonds.” He added that
the UAW "has a lot of confidence
in Lsrao! We believe hi Its future
and we want to do everything we
can to help Israel.”
BRUSSELS, (JTA) — A Russian
Jewish pianist, 18-year-old Eugene
Moguilevsky, won the first prize in
(lx- 1964 Queen Elisabeth Interna
tional llano Competition thLs week.
Ho was born in (Xiesea and took
his first lessons from his mother,
who teaches at the conservatory
(here. He later studied at the Mos
cow Conservatory. The first prize
consists of a vermilion medal and
$3,000